Cleopatra: First Woman of Power

For centuries, the real Cleopatra has been shrouded behind legends and myths. Roman and Greek accounts—the records most widely scrutinized—have portrayed the queen of Egypt as a brazen temptress who corrupted both Caesar and Marc Antony. But was this portrait an accurate one? Cleopatra: The First Woman of Power considers the legendary queen from the perspective of the Egyptians. Their records portray her as a visionary ruler and brilliant strategist, motivated not by wanton lust or greed but a genuine concern for her kingdom.

The Egyptians saw Cleopatra as a strong leader who won the loyalty of a distrustful populace, resisted Roman rule for 20 years and amassed a fortune so great that Rome’s interest rates dropped by two-thirds when her treasure was brought there upon her death. This program utilizes re-enactments, original location footage and interviews with leading historians to look behind the legends and shed light on this woman who has captivated generations.